Abstract

BEZERRA, Ricardo Andrade et al. Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity of Schoolchildren from a Low-income Region in Brazil: Associations with Maternal Variables. J. Hum. Growth Dev. [online]. 2021, vol.31, n.2, pp. 209-216. ISSN 0104-1282.  http://dx.doi.org/10.36311/jhgd.v31.12230.

INTRODUCTION: In the last decade, an increasing number of studies investigated markers of Sedentary Behavior (SB) and Physical Activity (PA) in school-age children since they lead to nutritional status changes in this groupOBJECTIVE: To analyze associations between maternal factors and SB and PA of schoolchildrenMETHODS: This is a cross-sectional study involving 410 mothers of children enrolled between the first and the fifth year in municipal schools of Santa Cruz, RN, Brazil. By applying questionnaires, socioeconomic variables of the family, maternal data, and habits related to SB and PA on weekdays and weekends were investigated. Pearson's chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to test associationsRESULTS: It was observed that income below one minimum wage and less maternal education were associated with greater active transportation among children (69.3%, p = 0.012 and 68.4%, p = 0.022, respectively). Children from low-income families (65.4%, p = 0.016) and who had six and seven siblings (8.2%, p = 0.023 and 7.6%, p = 0.037, respectively) presented lower SB at the weekend. Low level of maternal education was associated with reduced PA during the week (70.8%, p = 0.024CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic (i.e., family income and number of siblings) and maternal factors (i.e., level of education) are important indicators for time spent on sedentary behavior and physical activity of schoolchildren

Keywords : children; physical inactivity; sedentary lifestyle; socioeconomic level; maternal education.

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